INGREDIENTS: 1 2/3 cups buttermilk Zest from a large organic lemon 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sweetener of your choice — maple syrup, rice syrup, honey, or a mix of honey and sugar 2 tablespoons limoncello METHOD: Whisk together all ingredients in a mixing bowl until blended. Cover...Read More

Cherry clafoutis makes a wonderful Memorial Day dessert and is one of the best ways to celebrate our short season of cherries. This is a simplified version of the classic French dessert — we prefer to pit our cherries, rather than leaving them whole. It is best served warm, ideally fresh out of the oven....Read More

This homey, old fashioned pie would be right at home at the next family reunion or potluck. My grandmother, who would never let anything go to waste, layered the leftover scraps of pie dough in the filling like dumplings. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.   INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. fresh strawberries, halved 1...Read More

Sometimes called a ‘chocolate cobbler’ in the midwest, Devil’s Float is a little like a brownie, something like a pudding — kind of like a hot fudge cake — and so delicious! As it bakes, it forms its own chocolate sauce on the bottom. When you scoop out a serving, underneath the cake is some...Read More

If you’re a baby boomer, chances are you most likely had home economics as part of your curriculum in junior high school. This classic apple crisp recipe is from my home ec class and has since become a family favorite. Over the years, I have changed it slightly, probably to the dismay of my home...Read More

Start the Macerated Bitter Melon the night before you plan to make this dessert. INGREDIENTS: Macerated Bitter Melon: 1 bitter melon, cored and cubed Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cornstarch Cookies: 8 ounces butter (2 sticks), room temperature 1/2 cup powdered sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2...Read More

This is the perfect dessert to make when you have family or guests with different dietary preferences. You won’t have to make something ‘special’ — vegans and non-vegans will love this tart! INGREDIENTS: 2 packages (12 oz. each) silken SOFT tofu (Mori-Nu is very good) 1/3 cup sugar 8 oz. excellent quality dark chocolate, broken...Read More

This is a delicious pie that features apples, caramel, crumbly topping, and a thin, flaky crust, and is best made a day ahead which makes it ideal for the holidays. The easiest way to cut the caramels is with strong kitchen scissors, but you can also use a sharp knife. Drop the caramel pieces directly...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups ground cherries, husked and washed 12 tablespoons butter, divided 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup dark rum 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk 1 large egg METHOD: Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove the husk cherries from...Read More

Ukrainian apple squares are traditionally made around the holidays to make use of stored apples that have become too soft for eating. Since apples are available at the markets virtually year-round in the US, this European pastry can be made and enjoyed at any time. INGREDIENTS: 4-6 apples, peeled, cored, and diced 1/2 cup dates...Read More